Abstract

LEVY-LEBLOND, Jean-Marc. Una cultura sin cultura: Reflexiones críticas sobre la "cultura científica". Rev. iberoam. cienc. tecnol. soc. [online]. 2003, vol.1, n.1, pp.139-151. ISSN 1850-0013.

The current situation of disenchantment and loss of credit about science, which undermines its politic and economic support as well as its intellectual and cultural reputation, gives rise to a series of claims from the scientists. They pose their complaints both to the politicians and the lay public, who would have been won by a wave of anti-science and irrationalism. The underlying idea is that if science isn't supported it is because it isn't understood; consequently, there is a claim to the media, the education system and the researchers for them to make an effort in order to popularize knowledge to the public. This article poses that, however, it should be the idea that there are, on one hand, laymen and, on the other hand, those who own knowledge: on the contrary, scientific knowledge is limited and its validity is narrowly marked. This is the reason why there isn't a real scientific culture. In order to correct this situation, it is necessary to reintroduce science in culture, through a deep modification of the scientific activity and the formation of its professionals, that in both cases should include elements for the understanding of the history of science and its philosophic, sociologic and economic aspects.

Keywords : Scientific culture; Social aspects of science; History of science; Science and civic society.